Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT4 S4 Q2 Explanation

If we are to expand the

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsParadox

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Stimulus

If we are to expand the exploration of our solar system, our next manned flight should be to Phobos, one of Mars’s moons, rather than to Mars itself. The flight times to each are the same, but the Phobos expedition would require less than half the fuel load of a Mars expedition clear that Phobos should be our next step in space exploration.

What this question is testing

Paradox

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
2.

Which one of the following, if true, would most help to explain the difference

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    More equipment would be required to explore Phobos than to

  2. Trap3% picked this

    Smaller spaceships require less fuel than

  3. Trap0% picked this

    Information learned during the trip to Phobos can be used during a subsequent

  4. Trap6% picked this

    The shortest distance between Phobos and Mars is less than half the shortest distance between

  5. Correct90% picked this

    Lift-off for the return trip from Phobos requires much less fuel than that from Mars because of

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

    Skill tested: Paradox · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

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